Mayor Councilmembers
Carolyn Wysinger William Ktsanes
Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Motoyama
Gabe Quinto Rebecca Saltzman
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MINUTES
TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2025
View:
1. Cable T.V. Broadcast on KCRT Channel 28
2. Livestream Online at www.el-cerrito.org/CouncilMeetingMaterials Accommodations: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at 510- 215-4305. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable accommodations. Closed Captions available via zoom.
Conduct: This meeting shall be conducted pursuant to the El Cerrito City Council Rules of Order and Procedure, including adjourning by 11:00 PM unless extended to a specific time determined by a majority of the Council.
Public Comments:
1. In-person by submitting a request to speak to the City Clerk.
2. By Email to [email protected] identified in the subject line as Public Comments – Agenda Item #.
Written comments received by 2:00 p.m. the day of the meeting will be provided to the City Council and posted online in advance of the meeting. Comments received after the deadline will be provided to the City Council and will be posted after the meeting.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING (6:00 PM)
Council Chambers - 10890 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito
Closed Captions Available Via Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85688489748?pwd=YdbaGKs9hdfudyuVa7b4bQVLwJIzK4.1 Meeting ID: 856 8848 9748 Passcode: 891309 Dial in: 1-408-638-0968 05/20/2025 City Council Minutes Page 1 of 8
Docusign Envelope ID: 8CAECEB2-89CB-41BC-A351-C8E13641BC56 6:00 PM ROLL CALL – CONVENE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING Mayor Wysinger called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
Present: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember
Saltzman Absent: None
1. CONSIDER AND TAKE ACTION ON ANY REQUEST FROM A
COUNCILMEMBER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MEETING REMOTELY DUE TO EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES PURSUANT TO AB 2449
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OR OBSERVATION OF A
MOMENT OF SILENCE
3. TELECONFERENCE AND PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS
4. COUNCIL/STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Reports of closed session, commission appointments and informational reports on matters of general interest which are announced by the City Council and staff.
City Manager Pinkos - reported on the City hosting a delegation from the National Association of Towns and Villages of Japan.
Councilmember Motoyama - announced 6/7 Summer Kick-off Festival and Makers Fair at Hana Gardens and City Hall parking lot.
Mayor Wysinger - reported on signing letters of support for SB63, AB382, AB650, AB1026, SB456, SB239 in alignment with the City Council's adopted legislative platform; as Mayor signed on to a joint letter of support requesting a $30M dollar state budget appropriation for the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority; reported on attendance at a career fair at El Cerrito High School; and reported on ad-hoc work to revised Council Rules of procedure.
5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
Remarks are typically limited to 3 minutes per person. The Mayor may reduce the time limit per speaker depending upon the number of speakers and may limit the total time for public comment to facilitate the completion of business on the agenda.
Comments regarding non-agenda, presentation and consent calendar items will be heard first. Comments related to items appearing on the Public Hearing or Policy Matter portions of the Agenda will be heard prior to the City Council taking action on each item.
Elaine Fielding, Lynn Watkins, Mark Mespelt, Terrance Sims, Linda Cain - spoke in opposition to the Richmond Street Complete Streets project.
Surendra Kandel - commented on an incident with a car accident involving his residence and safety concerns at the intersection.
Henry Symons - representative of BART, spoke in support of consent item 7F.
05/20/2025 City Council Minutes Page 2 of 8
Docusign Envelope ID: 8CAECEB2-89CB-41BC-A351-C8E13641BC56 Janet Byron - spoke in support of consent item 7G.
Andrew Raphael, Louis Chico - spoke in support of the Richmond Street Complete Streets project.
Ryan Lau - representative of AC Transit, spoke in support of consent item 7F.
Buddy Akacic - spoke regarding vegetation at the Community Center.
Michael McDougall - commented regarding consent item 7H and the need to consider rebidding for better pricing.
Pamela W. - spoke regarding street sweeping and on street parking concerns, and parking limitations signage at the BART station.
6. PRESENTATIONS
A. CalPERS Pension Costs Update
Action Proposed: Receive and file an update on the City's pension costs and liabilities from the City's financial advisors.
Contact: Michael Meyer, Vice President, NHA Advisors; Crystal Reams, Finance Director/City Treasurer, Finance Department Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding Fresh Start Amortization and shielding of variance on CalPERS rate of return, projected future discount rates, increasing allocations, and rate of return for Section 115 Trust versus CalPERS.
Action: Received and filed
7. ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR
All items on the consent calendar shall be acted upon in one motion, unless a member of the City Council or staff request separate consideration.
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Motoyama/Councilmember Saltzman Action: Approved items A, B, and D-H on the consent calendar as indicated below. Ayes: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Saltzman Noes: None A. Approval of Minutes
Action Proposed: Approve the City Council Meeting minutes from April 15 and May 6, 2025.
Contact: Holly M. Charléty, City Clerk, City Management Action: Approved minutes
05/20/2025 City Council Minutes Page 3 of 8
Docusign Envelope ID: 8CAECEB2-89CB-41BC-A351-C8E13641BC56 B. Financial Advisory Board Recommendation
Action Proposed: Receive and file recommendations from the Financial Advisory Board.
Contact: Kimberly White, Chair, Financial Advisory Board; Crystal Reams, Finance Director/Staff Liaison, Finance Department Councilmember Ktsanes made a motion to agendize the item for a future city council meeting. Motion failed due to lack of a second.
Action: Received and filed
C. LGBTQIA+ Pride Month Proclamation
Action Proposed: Approve a proclamation declaring the month of June as Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgender/Transsexual, Queer/Questioning, Intersex and Agender/Asexual (LGBTQIA+) Pride month in the City of El Cerrito and recognize Pride Month by flying the Progress Pride flag at City Hall during the month of June.
Contact: Shannon Bassi, Human Resources Manager, City
Management
Pulled from Consent by Councilmember Ktsanes.
Moved/Seconded: Mayor Wysinger/Councilmember Saltzman
Action: Approved proclamation, revising the third paragraph to remove the word "some." Ayes: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Motoyama,
Councilmember Saltzman Noes: None
D. Recognition of the 5th Anniversary of the Death of George Floyd Proclamation
Action Proposed: At the request of Mayor Wysinger, approve a Proclamation in recognition of the 5th anniversary of the death of George Floyd.
Contact: Holly M. Charléty, City Clerk, City Management Action: Approved proclamation
E. Monthly Disbursement and Check Register Report for April2025 Action Proposed: Receive and file the Monthly Disbursement and Check Register Report for the month of April 2025.
Contact: Crystal Reams, Finance Director/City Treasurer, Finance Department
Action: Received and filed
05/20/2025 City Council Minutes Page 4 of 8
Docusign Envelope ID: 8CAECEB2-89CB-41BC-A351-C8E13641BC56 F. Resolution of Support for State and Federal Funding for Bay Area Public Transit
Action Proposed: At the request of Councilmember Saltzman, adopt a resolution supporting state and regional funding for Bay Area public transit.
Contact: Holly M. Charléty, City Clerk, City Management Action: Approved Resolution No. 2025-30
G. Acceptance of Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) Grant and related scope of work from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC)
Action Proposed: Adopt a resolution committing to take steps toward achieving compliance with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s (MTC's) Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) Policy as a condition for MTC to allocate regional discretionary funding.
Contact: Jeff Ballantine, Senior Planner; Sean Moss, Planning Manager; Melanie Mintz, Community Development Director, Community Development Department
Action: Approved Resolution No. 2025-31
H. Approve Spending Authority with SSP Data in an amount not-toexceed $178,000 in Fiscal Year 2024-25 Action Proposed: Adopt a resolution approving spending authority with the vendor SSP Data in an amount not-to-exceed $178,000 in Fiscal Year 2024-25.
Contact: Eric Ng, Information Technology Manager, City
Management
Action: Approved Resolution No. 2025-32
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Annual Public Hearing on Vacancies, Recruitment and Retention Efforts
Action Proposed: Conduct a public hearing to receive and file a report on workforce vacancies, recruitment, and retention efforts in compliance with Assembly Bill 2561.
Contact: Shannon Bassi, Human Resources Manager, City
Management
Public Hearing: Mayor Wysinger opened the public hearing. 05/20/2025 City Council Minutes Page 5 of 8
Docusign Envelope ID: 8CAECEB2-89CB-41BC-A351-C8E13641BC56 Public Comments:
Local 1230 representative Gary Williams spoke regarding paramedic positions and challenges in recruitment and hiring efforts.
SEIU 1021 representative Eddie Nodal commented on current vacancies and ongoing recruitments.
Moved/Seconded: Mayor Pro Tem Quinto/Councilmember Motoyama Action: Closed the public hearing. Ayes: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Saltzman Noes: None
Action: Received and filed
B. Presentation of 2025 Cost Allocation User Fee Study; and Public Hearing and Approval of Fiscal Year 2025-26 Master Fee Schedule Notice Published 5/10/25 and 5/16/25
Action Proposed: Receive and file a presentation on the 2025 Cost Allocation User Fee study; hold a public hearing and, upon conclusion, adopt a resolution approving the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Master Fee Schedule.
Contact: Crystal Reams, Finance Director/City Treasurer, Finance Department; Tony Thrasher, Principal Consultant, Wildan Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding decreased percentage of cost recovery in Recreation, need to include certain unused categories under business licenses, and emergency medical response fees for service.
Public Hearing: Mayor Wysinger opened the public hearing.
No public comments
Moved/Seconded: Mayor Pro Tem Quinto/Councilmember Ktsanes Action: Closed the public hearing. Ayes: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Saltzman Noes: None
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Motoyama/Mayor Pro Tem Quinto Action: Approved Resolution No. 2025-33 Ayes: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Saltzman Noes: None
05/20/2025 City Council Minutes Page 6 of 8
Docusign Envelope ID: 8CAECEB2-89CB-41BC-A351-C8E13641BC56
9. POLICY MATTERS
A. Consideration of Fiscal Year 2024-25 One-Time Uses of General Fund Balance
Action Proposed: Consideration and direction on potential one-time expenditures from General Fund balance in Fiscal Year 2024-25.
Contact: Karen Pinkos, City Manager; Crystal Reams, Finance Director/City Treasurer, Finance Department
Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding effect of drawing down reserves on potential borrowing options and discussed different scenarios.
Public Comments: Written comments submitted prior to and during the meeting are posted online as supplemental materials and incorporated into the official meeting record.
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Ktsanes/Mayor Pro Tem Quinto Action: Provided staff direction to proceed with $500K to the Swim Center, $120K to a Service Delivery Study, and $380K to a new Fire Engine from the General Fund Balance; and $1.5M from the Emergency Disaster Reserve Fund overage to the Section 115 Trust for retirement obligation, for a total of $2.5M allocation Ayes: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes,
Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Saltzman Noes: None
10. CITY COUNCIL LOCAL & REGIONAL LIAISON ASSIGNMENTS Mayor and City Council communications regarding local and regional liaison assignments, committee reports, and any required reporting under AB 1234 for meetings (as defined by the Brown Act) attended at the public'sexpense.
Councilmember Saltzman - reported on attendance at AC Transit briefing meeting in Oakland.
Councilmember Motoyama - reported on attendance at two separate Council Policy Ad-Hoc meetings, JPA Tom Bates meeting, Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) Housing Committee meeting, and ABAG Executive Board meeting.
Councilmember Ktsanes - reported on attendance at the Design Review Board meeting, Urban Forest Committee meeting, and announced the continuation of office hours on Saturdays.
Mayor Pro Tem Quinto - reported on attendance at Community Safety Committee meeting, Bay Area Air District Board meeting, Stationary Source Committee meeting of the Bay Area Air District, Marine Clean Energy (MCE) Board meeting, MCE Executive Committee meeting, and upcoming attendance at Hydrogen Conference representing MCE.
05/20/2025 City Council Minutes Page 7 of 8
Docusign Envelope ID: 8CAECEB2-89CB-41BC-A351-C8E13641BC56 Mayor Wysinger - reported on attendance at two separate Council Policy AdHoc meetings, JPA Tom Bates meeting, Cal Cities LGBTQ Local officials meeting, Japanese Delegation event, Human Relations Committee meeting, Green Empowerment Zone meeting, AC Transit State of Transit meeting, and career fair at El Cerrito High School.
11. ADJOURN REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The regular meeting adjourned at 9:58 PM in honor of Former District 5 Board of Supervisor member Federal Glover.
Carolyn Wysinger, Mayor
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the City Council meeting of May 20, 2025 as approved by the El Cerrito City Council.
Holly M. Charléty, MMC, City Clerk
05/20/2025 City Council Minutes Page 8 of 8
Docusign Envelope ID: 8CAECEB2-89CB-41BC-A351-C8E13641BC56